EA says E3 was half a show

Watching the largely underwhelming E3 conferences from platform holders this year, you kinda get the sense that they were sitting in their hands, not showing anything really cool because they’re saving it all for next year – and the revelation of next-generation hardware.

EA’s Frank Gibeau said it’s “half a show,” and the reason third parties – like EA and Ubisoft – are the ones that got the most attention this year.

"It’s fairly natural,” he told CVG “like with the PS2 to PS3 transition, and PSOne to PS2, that year before the big change. And the Wii U is really just the first opening act of the next-gen cycle shift.

"You’re only really getting half a show this year. You’re getting Wii U but you’re not getting the other half of the story so it’s a bit awkward.

"Within that context I think a lot of the third parties definitely stand out and command more of the spotlight because it’s a clear and more broad-based message."

With words like that, I think it’s pretty much a dead cert that we’ll be seeing next -gen at E3 next year – and possibly even at CES in January.

Editor. I'm old, grumpy and more than just a little cynical. One day, I found myself in possession of a NES, and a copy of Super Mario Bros 3. It was that game that made me realise that games were more than just toys to idly while away time - they were capable of being masterpieces. I'm here now, looking for more of those masterpieces.

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